Chapter 40

Chapter 40

In this world, there were a total of seven types of dragons.

Each was a one-of-a-kind existence, and in terms of classification, they would be categorized as Grade 1 magical beasts, the highest danger level.

Of course, all of them were currently slumbering in their respective lairs, and when the time came, they would reveal themselves as dungeons.

And the dragon that would serve as the starting point was the Luminous Dragon, known as the Golden Dragon and the Salvation Dragon.

'The Luminous Dragon has golden scales, wings, and a tail. If I copy the dragon transformation ability and end up with golden wings and a tail, I'll have an appearance similar to the Luminous Dragon. If that triggers a Dragon Awakening, several entire nations could be destroyed in an instant.'

Seo Hyun-woo was worried that his own dragon transformation might be treated as equivalent to the emergence of the Luminous Dragon.

The emergence of the Luminous Dragon marked the beginning of the Dragon Awakening, which meant every slumbering dragon would awaken.

In other words, the Dragon Awakening would cause seven Grade 1 magical beasts to appear simultaneously.

'Of course, not all dragons revel in destruction and slaughter. But even a single Grade 1 magical beast is enormously dangerous. The most important thing is that this isn't the time for a Dragon Awakening to occur.'

Seo Hyun-woo instinctively felt tension and swallowed hard.

The Dragon Awakening was an event that would occur in the latter half of the story.

If a Dragon Awakening occurred at this point, which was still the early stages, the repercussions would be immense.

'But that doesn't mean it'll definitely happen. Just because I have golden wings and a tail doesn't necessarily mean I'd be treated as the Luminous Dragon. And contrary to what happened with Archangel Descent, I might end up copying the Scarlet Dragon King's ability as-is.'

Seo Hyun-woo was merely keeping the worst-case scenario in mind.

Even at Miterich alone, his intervention had been causing various aspects to gradually shift.

Baek Seo-yeon not growing close to Kang Jin-ha, the copied Archangel Descent undergoing a change, the perception of himself being altered, among other things.

With the situation having changed this much, there was no guarantee that a Dragon Awakening wouldn't suddenly occur.

'That said, I can't avoid sparring with the Scarlet Dragon King. This spar will also affect Kang Jin-ha, so it has to happen.'

Seo Hyun-woo was the current Student Council President, the strongest in school, and the figure Kang Jin-ha sought to surpass.

Compiling the narrative descriptions and explanations, Seo Hyun-woo's actions were designed to stimulate Kang Jin-ha at least to some degree.

If he acted differently from the original story here, variables would inevitably arise.

'Hmm... Either way, there's no escaping the risk. In that case, the only option is to check in advance.'

Seo Hyun-woo reached a simple yet definitive conclusion and cleared his throat.

It seemed he would need to verify things before sparring with the Scarlet Dragon King.

Depending on the situation, he might have to change which ability he copied, or accept the risk and transform into a dragon regardless.

"I apologize for interrupting, but may I step out to the restroom?"

"Oh, by all means. Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"Not at all. I'll be right back."

Seo Hyun-woo promptly left the Department Head's office and headed for the restroom.

Fortunately, the men's restroom was empty.

'I've already copied the Scarlet Dragon King's ability. Now I just need to adjust my output slightly and check the color.'

Seo Hyun-woo entered an empty stall and locked the door.

He then immediately activated the ability and examined his own appearance.

Incomplete wings and a tail, and a scattering of scales came into view.

At the sight, Seo Hyun-woo couldn't help but feel bewildered and question what he was seeing.

'......What is this? How is this possible? There shouldn't be a dragon with this color.'

***

The Transformation Department's indoor training grounds.

Seo Hyun-woo had changed into a battle suit and entered the indoor training grounds to spar with the Scarlet Dragon King, Park Yong-jun.

On the opposite side, Park Yong-jun had his gaze fixed on him, showing no movement at all.

Seo Hyun-woo recalled the appearance he had seen earlier and slowly began loosening up.

'Awakened with the dragon transformation ability transform into one of the existing dragons. Of course, the Luminous Dragon and the Nete Dragon are excluded from that.'

The Nete Dragon, known as the Dark Dragon and the Destruction Dragon, stood at the polar opposite of the Luminous Dragon.

It was the most dangerous of the seven dragons, and in the story, no Awakened had ever transformed into the Nete Dragon.

There were also Awakened who transformed into Drakes, Wyverns, and Hatchlings, but these were not classified as dragons.

'The Scarlet Dragon King can transform into a Crimson Dragon. That's why no other dragon transformation Awakened can defeat the Scarlet Dragon King.'

The seven dragons could be divided into two categories.

The mutually hostile Luminous Dragon and Nete Dragon, and the five chromatic dragons that moved freely and each possessed their own distinct character.

Among the five chromatic dragons, the most violent and powerful was the Crimson Dragon.

'Since I copied the Scarlet Dragon King's ability, I should normally transform into a Crimson Dragon as well. But just like with Archangel Descent, a variable occurred. I never expected a color that doesn't belong to any of the seven dragons to appear.'

Seo Hyun-woo waited deep in thought, listening only for the signal from his Battle Watch.

A dragon of this color had never appeared in the original story.

Moreover, this transformation ability was not specialized for combat, so he wouldn't even be able to put up a proper fight against the Scarlet Dragon King.

[Your opponent has accepted the Battle request.]

[Barrier System deploying.]

'But I can't just not use the dragon transformation ability. I've already made a promise with the Scarlet Dragon King, and Kang Jin-ha is watching this spar.'

A faint sky-blue membrane formed a hemisphere, creating an area of suitable size.

The moment the Barrier System deployed, Park Yong-jun immediately activated his ability.

"No need to be too nervous. We're just having a light spar. Take it easy."

Park Yong-jun looked at Seo Hyun-woo with his crimson wings folded as tightly as possible.

Dark gray horns on either side of his head, yellow-tinted irises, red scales covering the area around his neck, and a red tail protruding along his tailbone.

Characteristics of the Crimson Dragon were visible across his body.

'......A dragon really is a dragon. There's mana carried in his voice alone. If he let out a full roar like that, it'd be a devastating weapon in itself.'

Seo Hyun-woo felt the pressure but calmly steadied himself.

It was merely a spar, and Park Yong-jun simply wanted to enjoy himself for a moment.

But there was a high chance that wish would go unfulfilled, and the reaction would differ from the original story.

'I have no choice. I'll just transform into a dragon as he wants.'

Seo Hyun-woo drew up the mana within his body and activated the ability.

His body then began to change, wreathed in a white light.

Seeing this, Park Yong-jun furrowed his brow and couldn't take his eyes off Seo Hyun-woo.

'Something's different. Is he actually transforming into a dragon?'

But the moment Park Yong-jun saw Seo Hyun-woo's fully transformed state, he couldn't help but be greatly surprised.

He had never seen a dragon with that color.

Seo Hyun-woo should have copied his own ability, yet how could such a difference exist?

"......I'm sorry, but continuing this spar as it is would be meaningless."

Seo Hyun-woo answered calmly, his blue eyes glinting.

Blue horns sprouting from both sides of his head, radiant white wings, fine white scales clinging to his skin, and a long white tail trailing behind him.

Seo Hyun-woo had transformed into a white dragon that did not belong to any of the seven.

"What do you mean by that?"

"This dragon is a bit different from the ability you possess, Scarlet Dragon King. It's not the type that can participate in direct combat."

Seo Hyun-woo held a white flow in his right hand and lightly opened his palm.

Even without using the ability, he could instinctively tell what traits it possessed.

It would be proper to classify it as a rare enhancement-type ability that also fell under the special type.

'A dragon specialized in combat support......... On top of that, a white dragon doesn't exist. Is it a mutant dragon?'

***

'......It's the same as that time. The color has changed. This time, the form seems a little different too.'

Baek Seo-yeon stared at Seo Hyun-woo beyond the barrier, carefully inspecting his appearance.

Compared to Park Yong-jun, there were significant differences in both color and form.

It almost looked as though he had copied a different Awakened's ability rather than Park Yong-jun's.

'As far as I know, there's no student at Miterich who can transform into a dragon. So it must be that he copied the Scarlet Dragon King's ability and it underwent a mutation.'

Baek Seo-yeon found Seo Hyun-woo's dragon form fascinating, yet questions naturally arose.

Seo Hyun-woo's Ability Copy did nothing more than copy the abilities and techniques of Awakened.

That alone was already tremendously powerful, yet now it was producing unexpected changes on top of it.

How extraordinary must Seo Hyun-woo's potential be for such things to keep happening?

'Is there anything the President can't do? Oh, he couldn't pin the brooch by himself.'

Baek Seo-yeon let out a small laugh before quickly composing her expression.

Laughing over something this trivial would make her seem far too frivolous.

'Is it because he transformed into a dragon? He seems like a different person.'

Baek Seo-yeon looked around, checking the students' reactions.

Students had already pulled out their smartphones and were filming Seo Hyun-woo and Park Yong-jun.

The cameras were angled far more toward Seo Hyun-woo's direction in particular.

'Long hair suits the President too. No, maybe it's just that dragons suit him.'

Baek Seo-yeon observed Seo Hyun-woo's white hair and blue horns before slowly shifting her gaze.

The overall impression was strongly that of a white dragon.

The wings, scales, and tail were all white, while the horns and irises carried a lustrous blue glow.

She found herself unconsciously comparing it to his Archangel Descent form.

'......What's he doing? It doesn't look like they're going to fight.'

Seo Hyun-woo was approaching Park Yong-jun with a white flow gathered in his right hand.

Park Yong-jun seemed slightly puzzled at first, but soon began walking toward Seo Hyun-woo.

'Could it be that the copied ability mutated and its type changed? He might be trying to verify that.'

Baek Seo-yeon watched the two with a keen gaze.

Seo Hyun-woo had clasped hands with Park Yong-jun and was channeling the white flow into him.

That white flow seeped into Park Yong-jun and gradually vanished.

'Is he performing mana transfer? That would mean he can either give mana or reinforce the target......... If he can do both, does that mean he has an ability similar to the White Saint's?'